One of the candidates for the 8{+t}{+h} Senate District wants a debate with her opponent

State Senate candidate Melissa Osborne is pressing her opponent for a one-on-one debate in their race for the 8th Senate District, something she said Wednesday he has avoided.

Osborne, a Democrat from Simsbury, is seeking to unseat state Sen. Kevin Witkos, a Canton Republican seeking his fourth term. Debates have been among the themes of the campaign. Early on, Osborne said she wanted the two of them to debate one-on-one in each of the district's 11 communities. Witkos' response was that if a community organization put one on he would participate.

On Wednesday, Osborne criticized Witkos for refusing to participate in a debate her campaign tried to organize in Torrington planned for Oct. 29. The candidates' appearances together have been confined to a forum that included people running for several different districts in the Torrington area in September. Similar events are coming up on Oct. 21.

"Forums are wonderful but they are not debates," Osborne spokeswoman Danielle Palladino said.

Palladino said forums that include candidates running in other districts do not allow as much focus on Osborne and Witkos. She said at the forum held in September Osborne and Witkos were able to answer just two questions.

"A public, unscripted forum is the best place for residents to see how each of us would represent the district in Hartford," Osborne said in a statement. "The vast differences in our positions on issues of public importance would have been quickly apparent if he were willing to be forthcoming with voters."

But Witkos spokesman Philip Purciello said the forum in September and the ones coming up are sufficient.

"There have been quite the opportunities for voters to see the two candidates talking side by side," Purciello said.

He said Witkos was unwilling to participate in the debate Osborne was trying to set up because no community organization was involved, which he said indicates there is not interest among people in a particular group to hear from the candidates.

Two public events for candidates are planned on Oct. 21. The first will be from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Prime Time House at 810 Main St. in Torrington. Purciello said he expects that will include people running in other districts as well as Osborne and Witkos. The second event that day is in Canton at 7 p.m. and will be in the auditorium of Canton High School at 76 Simonds Ave. In addition to Osborne and Witkos it will include state Rep. Tim LeGeyt of the 17th House District, who is running unopposed. The Canton event is sponsored by the Canton League of Women Voters.